Folding boom aerial water delivery apparatus for mobile fire fighting equipment



Oct. 10, 1967 MOORE ET AL 3,346,052

FOLDING BOOM AERIAL WATER DELIVERY APPARATUS FOR MOBILE FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT I Filed June 9. 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ulwn a? 4 1 I WM 1 H. M", 2;? 36 60 224 32 40 Til 34 2041 w Fig.4.

2/2 F?! .3. 32 3M [08 170 g f 224 A0 I. I, I I 34 w 2/0 50 22? V IF I I M i AA INVENTORS.

flr'ihur D. Moore BY Ken/7e? h. Davidson TTOR/VEYS.

Oct. 10, 1967 A D. MOORE ET AL 3,346,052

FOLDING BOOM A ERIAL WATER DELIVERY APPARATUS FOR MOBILE FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT Filed June 9. 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 "I 70 MA I, 1 I. /70 X I b8 g. I! 132 //38 "150 I 7 I00 102122 Hm M NM 4 l 110 5 0 0,; a! f 1 f v 65 I02 5/ fa H .5. 7 g 68 J 241 J v F v INVENTORS. 0 firm/n 0. MOO/"6 BY Ken/72777 H. Davidson Oct. 10, 1967 MOORE ET AL 3,346,052

FOLDING BOOM AERIAL WATER DELIVERY APPARATUS FOR MOBILE FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT Filed June 9. 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS. firfhur D. Moore BY Ken/7am /1. Davidson United States Patent M 3,346 052 FOLDING BOOM AERIAL WATER DELIVERY APPARATUS FOR MOBILE FIRE FIGHTHIG EQUIPMENT Arthur D. Moore and Kenneth H. Davidson, St. Joseph, Mo., assiguors to Snorkel Fire Equipment Company, St. Joseph, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed June 9, 1965, Ser. No. 462,699 14 Claims. (Cl. 169-25) This invention relates to improvements in fire-fighting equipment and, more particularly, to a pumper truck having a boom-supported, remotely controlled water delivery nozzle.

Although shiftable booms have been used in the past with fire-fighting apparatus for supporting Water delivery nozzles, such a boom generally has required a basket or platform at the upper end thereof to support a fireman who, in turn, must control a water delivery nozzle, either hand-held or secured to the basket so as to direct a water stream issuing from the nozzle onto a fire. The range of operating positions of a boom of this type is limited inasmuch as the fireman in the basket must remain a discrete distance from a fire so as not to be overcome by heat. Therefore, the nozzle on the boom cannot be moved within a minimum distance from the fire and, even then, a fireman in the basket may oftentimes be imperiled inasmuch as the condition of a fire'may change abruptly and such a change may be too fast to shift the boom to a safe location. Thus, for these and other reasons, it is desirable to eliminate the need for manual manipulation of the nozzle at the upper end of the boom.

In addition, to support the weight of the fireman in the basket and to be relatively maneuverable, the boom must have high-strength characteristics which, in turn, results in an increase in the over-all weight of the boom assembly itself. The vehicle on which the boom is mounted must, therefore, be exceptionally sturdy, or must be strengthened to adequately support the boom for all operative positions thereof. All of the foregoing results in increased manufacturing or modification costs and, if the aforesaid fire-fighting apparatus is to be used with municipal facilities, costs of this nature become very important to budget-minded civic officials.

The present invention is directed to a boom-supported, remotely controlled water delivery nozzle assembly attached to -a pumper truck for extending its fire-fighting capabilities and to overcome the problems associated with the above-mentioned conventional boom-operated fire-fighting equipment. To this end, the invention includes a boom of lightweight construction which is rotatably mounted on a pumper truck for movement with respect thereto about a generally vertical axis, and a water delivery nozzle shiftably mounted on the upper end of the boom and controlled remotely from the pumper truck whereby the combination of the pumper truck and the aforesaid assembly can be operated without the presence of a fireman at the upper end of the boom and the nozzle and boom may be simultaneously shifted into their respective operative positions from a single control station on the pumper truck. By virtue of its lightweight construction, the boom of the instant invention does not require exceptionally heavy supporting structure on the pumper truck, so that the cost of utilizing the desirable features of the invention are kept to a minimum.

The boom of this invention is constructed to provide a water delivery passage therethrough which, at all times, intercommunicates the water pump of the pumper truck and the nozzle at the upper end of the boom so that 3,346,052 Patented Oct. 10, 1967 changes in operative positions of the boom will not interrupt the flow of water to the nozzle such as might occur if a flexible hose or the like were used between the pump and the nozzle. Not only can the boom-supported nozzle assembly of this invention be mounted on new or existing pump truck units of adequate capacity, but also can be transferred from one pumper truck to another without substantial modification to either, and without impairing any of the pumping or hose storage capabilities thereof. Thus, a pumper truck utilizing the teachings of the present invention becomes highly versatile and is considerably more effective in fighting fires than pumper trucks of conventional design.

It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to provide a boom-supported, remotely controlled water delivery nozzle combined with a pumper truck in a manner to increase the fire-fighting capabilities of the latter and to eliminate the need for a fireman stationed on the upper end of theboom to which the nozzle is coupled to thereby control the water delivery from the latter.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a boom and nozzle assembly which may be attached to a pumper truck and coupled with the pump thereof for delivering large volumes of water while the boom and nozzle of the assembly are controlled at all times during operation thereof, whereby the assembly is adapted for use not only with new and existing pumper truck units, but also the assembly may be transferred from one pumper'truck to another without interfering with the functions thereof.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of an assembly of the type described which is lightweight in construction so that it may be secured to an existing pumper truck with a minimum of structural modification thereto and without impairing any of the operating capabilities thereof.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of a combination pumper truck and boom supported water delivery nozzle which is operated remotely to eliminate manual control of the nozzle at the upper end of the boom and the hazards associated therewith.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a shiftable boom and remotely controlled nozzle assembly of the aforesaid character wherein the boom and nozzle may be simultaneously controlled to minimize the time required to move the nozzle into any one of a number of fire-fighting dispositions with respect to the pumper truck associated therewith.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a pumper truck with the boom-supported, remotely controlled water delivery nozzle thereof being in a stored disposition;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view Of the combination shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the pumper truck;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side elevational view of the nozzle illustrating the way in which it is coupled to the upper end of a boom;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the nozzle shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, cross-sectional View illustrating the turntable structure for mounting the boom on the pumper truck;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 6;

. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 6;

taken along line 8-8 taken along line 9-9 FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view between the upper and lower sections of the boom;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 1212 of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the pumper truck, the boom and the nozzle illustrating various operative dispositions of the boom and nozzle.

Fire-fighting apparatus 21) includes a. pumper truck 22 of conventional design and construction having a chassis frame 24, shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and disposed below a water tank 26 and a storage rack 28 for lengths of hose. A pump is carried by pumper truck 22 adjacent to panel 30 thereof and is adapted to be operably coupled with a source of water, such as a fire hydrant or the like, to increase the pressure of the water delivered by pumper truck 22 in a manner hereinafter described. Suitable valves and gauges are associated with the pump to control and indicate the water pressure thereof.

A sectionalized boom 32 is secured by mounting structure 34 to frame 24 for rotation with respect to pumper truck 22 about a generally vertical axis. A water delivery nozzle unit 36 is shiftably mounted on the outer end of boom 32 and is adapted to be controlled remotely from a location adjacent to mounting structure 34. Boom 32 is tubular and is connected with a water delivery pipe 38 coupled with the pump of pumper truck 22 so that water is delivered to nozzle unit 36 at a flow rate and pressure determined by the operating characteristics of the pump and the controller thereof.

Mounting structure 34 supports rotation mechanism 40 on frame 24 by means of a framework 42, the latter being comprised of a pair of uprights 44 at each side respectively of pumper truck 22, the lower ends of uprights 44 being rigidly secured to cross-beams 46 mounted on frame 24 as illustrated in FIG. 3. The upper ends of corresponding uprights 44 are interconnected by upper crosspieces or structural members 54 which span the distance between the sides of storage rack 28 as shown in FIG. 2. Crosspieces 54 provide the support for a baseplate 52 which, in turn, carries rotation mechanism 40 to permit the turntable forming a part thereof to rotate about a vertical axis.

Although framework 42 may be of any construction, it is preferred that the same be constructed in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 to minimize the space required and thereby not to interfere with the water storage and hose storage capabilities of pumper truck 22. The structural integrity of framework 42 is suflicient to support boom 32 and nozzle unit 36 as well as the induced loads thereon inasmuch as boom 32 may be of lightweight construction notwithstanding its relatively long length and its maneuverability. The interconnection of framework 42 and pumper truck 22 may be strengthened by securing uprights 44 to the opposed body sides extending upwardly alongside tank 26 and rack 28.

Rotation mechanism 40 may be of any construction but, for purposes of illustration, it is disclosed as including a tubular column 56 secured by means of a flanged collar 58 to a plate 52, the latter having a central opening 60 therethrough receiving collar 58.

The inner race 62 of a bearing 64 is secured to the upper surface of plate 52 and has a ring gear '66 on the inner periphery thereof. A turntable broadly designated 65 is rotatable on baseplate 52 and includes the outer race 68 of bearing 64 which is rotatable with respect to inner race 62 about a vertical axis through the center of column 56. The supporting plate 70 of turntable 65 is secured to outer race 68 for rotation therewith. Plate 70 is provided with a central opening 72 therethrough receiving column 56. A hydraulic motor 74 supported on a gear box 76 rotates the drive shaft 78 of gear box 76 to, in turn, rotate a pinion 80 rigid to shaft 78. An opening 81 is provided in plate 70 so that shaft 78 may extend therethrough. Pinion 80 is in mesh with ring gear 66 to rotate plate 70 as pinion 80 is rotated under the influence of motor 74. A

manifold ring 82 is mounted on column 56 for rotation with respect thereto. Ring 82 has a projection 84 thereon secured to plate 70 so that ring 82 rotates therewith.

Ring 82 is disposed in sealing relationship to three annular grooves 88, and 92 in the outer periphery of column 56, there being bores 94, 96 and 98 in column 56 connected to grooves 88, 90 and 92 respectively. Bore's 94, 96 and 98 extend inwardly from the lower face 100 of column 56 as shown in FIG. 6. Ring 82 has a fluid port 102 aligned with each of the grooves 88, 90 and 92 respectively, to thereby permit these grooves to be selectively placed in fluid communication with power drive structure through control valves as hereinafter described.

A collector ring 104 of electrically nonconducting material is secured by bolts 106 to the upper face of column 56 and has three annular grooves 108, 110 and 112 in the outer periphery thereof, there being an electrically conducting ringlike strip 114 in each of the grooves 108, 110 and 112 respectively. Strips 114 are coupled to respective screw contacts 116 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and respective contact arms 118, 120 and 122 carried by an electrically nonconducting post 124 on ring 82 make electrical contact with respective strips 114 at all times during rotation of ring 82 about column 56. Arms 118, 121) and 122 are electrically isolated from each other and are adapted to be coupled with electrically actuated prime movers through control switches in a manner hereinafter described. A bore 125 is provided in column 56 and ring 104 to receive electrical wiring coupling contacts 116 to a source of electrical power on truck 22 and remote from turntable 65.

A T 126 is secured to the outer end of pipe 38, as shown in FIG. 6, and is coupled to a pipe section 128 extending through column 56 and collector ring 104. A conventional pipe swivel 130 interconnects the upper end of pipe section 128 with a pipe section 132 extending downwardly from a horizontally disposed pipe section 134 having an opening 136 therein. Section 134 is thus rotatable about a vertical axis relative to section 128.

A housing 138 forming a part of turntable 65 and extending upwardly from plate 70 is disposed in covering relationship to rings 82 and 104 and pipe section 134. Housing 138 is secured in any suitable manner to the upper surface of plate 71) for rotation therewith relative to framework 42. A hydraulic valve 140 is carried within housing 138 and has a control lever 142 extending outwardly and upwardly therefrom as shown in FIG. 6. Valve 140 is adapted to control the movement of the sections of boom 32, including rotation thereof through operation of motor 74.

Boom 32 may be of any one of a number of different configurations but, in this case, the same is provided with a lower section 144 having a cross-sectional configuration as shown in FIG. 9. In this respect, section 144 has a hollow, central portion 146, and a pair of hollow side portions 148 and 150 adapted to provide water passages through section 144. As shown in FIG. 8, section 144 is provided with a pair of aligned, spaced, tubular segments 152 and 154 which are rotatably received within pipe section 134 for movement with respect thereto about a generally horizontal axis perpendicular to the axis of pipe section 128. Segments 152 and 154 form parts of section 144 and provide the journal means permitting boom 32 to be raised and lowered with respect to mounting structure 34. Both of the segments 152 and 154 are provided with slots 155 therein intercommunicating portions 148 and 150 and the interior of pipe section 134. Hence, water flowing into pipe section 134 from pipe section 128 through opening 136, will be directed into portions 148 and 150. Seals 156 between pipe section 134 and segments 152 and 154 prevent leakage of water while permitting section 144 to rotate with respect to pipe section 134.

A fluid piston and cylinder assembly 160 is coupled with lower section 144 to rotate the latter about an axis coextensive with the central axis of pipe section 134. To

this end, a pair of parallel, upright plates 162 are secured in any suitable manner to the upper surface of plate 70 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and a shaft 164 is carried by and spans the distance between plates 162 so that one end 166 of the cylinder of assembly 160 may be pivotally mounted on turntable 65 for rotation therewith about the horizontal axis coextensive with the central axis of pipe section 134.

The piston rod 168 is pivotally secured at the outer end thereof to ears 170 on section 144 by means of a pin 172. Assembly 160 is conventional in design and construction and is preferably of the type which is actuated by hydraulic fluid. Opposed ends of the cylinder assembly 160 are connected to respective control ports of control valve 140 located in housing 138 of turntable 65 by using high pressure, flexible hydraulic fluid hose.

A piston and cylinder assembly 174 between the upper end of boom section 144 and the upper boom section 176 is operable to control swinging of the upper boom relative to the lower boom.

Opposed extremities of cylinder assembly 174 are also connected to the respective control ports of control valve 140. In addition, the control ports of the rotation hydraulic motor 74 are also similarly connected to their respective control ports on control valve 140.

Control valve 140 is, in turn, connected by two hydaulic circuits to the center post manifold defined by ports 102 by appropriate'high pressure, fluid conducting hose or tubing. One interconnecting line between valve 140 and one of the ports 102 carries fluid to the valve from the hydraulic pump attached to and driven by the road transmission of truck 22 by a PTO. The second line between control valve 140 and another port 102 is a return line carrying hydraulic fluid from the control valve 140 back to the hydraulic oil reservoir located within the pumper truck chassis 22.

The control of assembly 160 is accomplished by manipulation of the single lever 142 which is, in turn, connected through mechanical linkage to a respective valve spool of control valve 140. Through the manipulation of lever 142, any one of the spools may be selectively shifted to control the three hydraulic functions of boom 32 (elevation or lowering of either boom section 144 and 176 or rotation of turntable 65) may be accomplished either singularly or in any combination.

The interconnection between boom sections 144 and 176 is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, section 176 being tubular and provided with a pipe section 178 at the normally lowermost end thereof, pipe section 178 having an opening 180 for placing it in fluid communication with the interior of the major portion of section 176. Section 144 has a pair of tubular segments 182 and 184 substantially identical in all respects with segments 152 and 154, segments 182 and 184 being rotatably received within the open ends of pipe section 178 so as to journal section 176 on the outermost end of section 144. Both of the segments 182 and 184 have slots 186 therein placing respective portions 148 and 150 in fluid communication with the interior of pipe section 178. Thus, Water flowing through portions 148 and 150 is directed into boom section 176. Seals 188 provide a watertight seal between the junctions of pipe section 178 and segments 182 and 184.

Assembly 174 is pivotally secured at one end thereof in any suitable manner on section 144 and at the opposite end thereof to an ear 190 on section 176 as shown in FIG. ll.-The hydraulic lines to assembly 174 are coupled with valve 140 as previously described.

Boom 32 is formed from any suitable lightweight material so as to minimize the weight load required to be supported by pumper truck 22. To this end, boom 32 may be formed of a synthetic resin material having electrically nonconducting properties and reinforced with fiber glass or the like to provide structural integrity therefor.

Nozzle unit 3-6 includes a monitor conduit 192 having a neck 194 rotatably mounted on a collar 196 secured at the upper end of section 176 as shown in FIG. 4. Neck 194 and collar 196 place conduit 192 in fluid communication with section 176 so that water flowing through section 176 will enter monitor conduit 192 and be discharged from the nozzle head 198 thereof.

Conduit 192 is journalled for rotation in the open ends 200 of neck 194, and head 198 is journalled for rotation on the tubular projection 202 of conduit 192 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. A ring gear 204 is carried on neck 194 and is operably coupled With a spur gear (not shown) of an electrically actuated servomotor 206 secured in any suitable manner on collar 196. A toothed sector 208 carried by neck 194 is operably coupled to a worm 210 on a rotatable shaft 212 coupled to a gear box 214 which, in turn, is operably coupled to a servomotor 216. Rotation of shaft 212 causes conduit 192 to rotate with respect to neck 194. Nozzle head 198 is rotated with respect to projection 202 by a ring gear arrangement similar to that for rotating neck 194 relative to collar 196. A servomotor 218 carried by projection 202 has a gear box 220 provided with a pinion operably coupled to a ring gear connected to nozzle head 198.

Ring gear 204 provides substantially 360 rotation of neck 194 relative to collar 196, and sector 208 provides at least a 135 arcuate displacement of monitor conduit 192 with respect to neck 194. The ring gear associated with servomotor 218 permits rotation of nozzle head 198 to adjust the water spray pattern.

Servomotors 206, 216 and 218 are operably coupled in any suitable manner to a source of electrical power through switching circuits including at least one of the contact arms 118, and 122. A control panel for operating the servomotors is preferably disposed adjacent to lever 142 so that an operator on a fold-down seat 222 carried on turntable 40 will be able to control servomotors 206, 216 and 218 while controlling motor 74 and assemblies 160 and 174. The operator will thus move with boom 32 and nozzle unit 36 relative to the pumper truck 22 so as to be in position to control the various prime movers at all times.

In operation, an operator on seat 222 may actuate boom 32 and nozzle unit 36 by manipulating the appropriate controls carried on turntable 65. In the stored position of FIG. 1, boom 32 is preferably supported from beneath by a brace 224 carried by pumper truck 22. Manipulation of lever 142 will permit swinging of one or both of boom sections 144 and 176 with respect to column 56 and pipe section 134. For instance, boom 32 may be moved into any one of the operative dispositions thereof shown in FIG. 13. Also, nozzle unit 36 may be manipulated remotely and shifted in three degrees of freedom with respect to the upper end of boom section 176. Thus, nozzle head 198 may be oriented to direct a stream of water onto a particular type of tire in the most effective possible manner. In this respect, monitor conduit 192 may be rotated by servomotor 206, may be elevated by servomotor 216, and may direct a straight stream of water or a water fog by the rotation of nozzle head 198 by servomotor 218.

To fight a particular fire, pumper truck 22 is driven to a suitable location sufliciently close to the fire to permit the positioning of nozzle unit 36 in the most advantageous disposition for effectively fighting the fire. The operator on seat 222 will then manipulate both boom 32 and nozzle unit 36 to position the latter for directing a stream of water on the fire. The pump of pumper truck 22 is then either actuated by the operator on seat 222 or by another fireman stationed adjacent to panel 3-0, where upon water will flow through pipe 38, through pipe sections 128 and 134, through portions 148 and 150 of boom section 144, into pipe section 178, through boom section 176, and into and through monitor conduit 192 and ejected from nozzle head 198. The configuration of the water stream issuing from head 198 will be determined by the orientation of this head with respect to projection 202. When apparatus 20 has effectively performed its fire-fighting function, boom 32 and nozzle unit 36 are returned to their stored positions shown in FIG. 1, whereupon pumper truck 22 may be returned to its home station.

It is contemplated that the lower boom be movable through an arc of approximately 105 and that the upper boom be movable through an arc of approximately 170 This maneuverability of boom 32 permits the latter to be moved into a relatively large number of operative positions and advantageously disposes nozzle unit 36 for effectively fighting fires from many different angles. Coupled with the shiftability of nozzle unit 36, boom 32 permits apparatus 20 to be utilized for fighting fires which have heretofore been beyond the skills of firemen using conventional fire-fighting equipment.

Turntable 65 permits 360 continuous rotation of boom 32 and nozzle unit 36 and provision may be made to simultaneously rotate turntable 65 as boom sections 144 and 176 are extended and as servomotors 206, 216 and 218 are actuated. Thus, the time required to dispose nozzle unit 36 in an operative position may be minimized. The relative sizes of pipe sections 128, 134 and 178, and portion 148 and boom section section 176 are such that a relatively large volume of water may be delivered to nozzle unit 36 for use in fighting fires. For instance, it is contemplated that pipe section 128 have a four inch diameter and that the lower end of boom section 176 be six inches square, the square configuration continuing throughout the length of section 176 but reducing to three inches at the upper end thereof as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3.

The boom mounting structure carried by frame 24 is, like boom 32, relatively lightweight in construction so that pumper truck 22 need not be exceptionally sturdy or be modified to any substantial extent in order to properly support structure 34 and boom 32. It is contemplated that the over-all weight of boom 32, structure 34 and nozzle unit 36 may be no more than approximately 3500 ggunds, a weight which will not overload pumper truck Since framework 42 may be readily attached to frame 24, it is to be noted that boom 32, mounting structure 34, and nozzle unit 36 may be manufactured as a unit for installation on existing or new pumper trucks. Also, such a unit may be transferred from one pumper truck to another with a minimum expenditure of time and effort. The boom of such a unit will be adaptable for most, if not all, pumper trucks inasmuch as the boom will take up a minimum of space when in the stored position of FIG. 1, it being contemplated that the maximum height of the boom above the cab of pumper truck 22 will be approximately 13 inches when the boom is in its stored position.

It is preferred that truck 22 be stabilized during swinging of boom 32. To this end, truck 22 may be provided with hydraulic Outriggers or jacks which engage the ground and prevent movement of truck 22 due to shifting of the center of gravity of the system comprised of boom 32 and nozzle unit 36.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Fire-fighting apparatus comprising: a vehicle having a frame; an articulated, self-supporting boom having a pair of tubular boom sections and tubular pivot means swingably mounting one section on the other section and placing said sections in fluid communication with each other, the sections thereby providing fluid delivery means in the boom; means mounting the boom on the frame of said vehicle for movement of both of said sections with respect thereto into and out of any one of a number of operative positions;

means coupled with said boom for moving the same relative to said vehicle, said fluid delivery means being adapted to be coupled with a source of fluid under pressure for receiving a stream of said fluid therefrom;

a nozzle in fluid communication with said fluid delivery means;

means mounting said nozzle on said boom for movement with respect thereto into and out of any one of a plurality of operative dispositions;

means coupled with said nozzle for moving the same relative to said boom; and

means coupled with said boom moving means and said nozzle moving means for remotely controlling the same.

2. Fire-fighting apparatus comprising:

a pumper truck having a frame and a pump;

a framework secured to and extending upwardly from said frame;

a tubular column mounted on said framework adjacent to the upper extremity thereof;

a turntable mounted on said framework in surrounding relationship to said column and rotatable with respect thereto about a generally vertical axis;

a boom of relatively lightweight material having a pair of tubular sections, each section having an upper end and a lower end;

a tubular swivel in fluid communication with said column and mounting the lower end of one of said sections on the upper end of the column for rotation about a vertical axis, there being first, tubular pivot means securing said lower end of said one section on said swivel for rotation relative thereto about a generally horizontal axis and placing said one section in fluid communication with said swivel;

second, tubular pivot means securing the upper end of said one section with the lower end of the other section for rotation about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axes of said sections, said second pivot means placing the sections in fluid communication with each other;

a water delivery nozzle;

tubular structure shiftably mounting said nozzle on the upper end of said other section for rotation with respect thereto into any one of a number of operative dispositions;

means placing said column in fluid communication with said pump, whereby water may be directed to said nozzle through said boom;

a first prime mover coupled with said framework and said turntable for rotating the latter relative to said column;

a second prime mover coupled with said turntable and said one section for rotating the latter relative to said swivel;

a third prime mover coupled with said sections for rotating said other section relative to said one section;

power means coupled with said nozzle for rotating the same relative to said other section;

first control means at a location on said turntable adjacent to the lower end of said one section for controlling said prime movers; and

second control means at said location for controlling said power means.

3. Fire-fighting apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said pumper truck is provided with a water tank above said frame and a hose rack above said water tank, said framework having a pair of uprights extending upwardly from said frame at the opposed sides of said water tank and said hose rack and a crosspiece interconnecting the upper ends of said uprights above said hose rack, said column and said turntable being mounted on said crosspiece, whereby said water tank and said hose rack remain substantially unaffected by the presence of said framework.

4. Fire-fighting apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein one of said prime movers is hydraulically actuated, said column having a pair of annular grooves therein adapted to be coupled to the pressure and return lines of a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, said turntable having means coupled with said grooves for connecting the latter to said one prime mover.

5. Fire-fighting apparatus as set forth in claim 2, whereing said power means is electrically actuated, said column having a pair of annular bands thereon adapted to be coupled to a source of electrical power, said turntable having means coupled with said bands for connecting the latter to said power means.

6. Fire-fighting apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein each of said prime movers is hydraulically actuated, said column having pressure and return lines adapted to be operably coupled to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, said turntable having means for connecting said pressure and return lines to said prime movers, said first control means including a fluid valve coupled with said connecting means for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the prime movers.

7. Fire-fighting apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said power means is electrically actuated, said column having a pair of annular bands thereon adapted to be coupled to a source of electrical power, said turntable having means coupled with said bands for connecting the latter to said power means.

8. Fire-fighting apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said tubular structure includes a neck rotatably mounted on the outer end of said other section for rotation with respect thereto about an axis substantially coextensive with the longitudinal axis of said other section, said nozzle having a tubular arm mounted on said neck for rotation about an axis substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of said other section, and a nozzle head coupled with said arm for rotation relative thereto, said power means including a first power unit coupled with said neck for rotating the same relative to said other section, a second power unit coupled with said arm for rotating the latter relative to said neck, and a third power unit coupled with said nozzle head for rotating the latter relative to said arm.

9. Fire-fighting apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein each of said power units is electrically actuated, said second control means including electrical switching means for each power unit respectively.

10. Fire-fighting apparatus comprising:

a vehicle having a frame;

a boom having fluid delivery means thereon;

means mounting the boom on the frame of said vehicle for movement with respect thereto into and out of any one of a number of operative positions; means coupled with said boom for moving the same relative to said vehicle, said fluid delivery means being adapted to be coupled with a source of fluid under pressure for receiving a stream of said fluid therefrom;

a nozzle in fluid communication with said fluid delivery means;

means mounting said nozzle on said boom for movement with respect thereto into and out of any one of a plurality of operative dispositions;

means coupled with said nozzle for moving the same relative to said boom; and

means coupled with said boom moving means and said nozzle moving means for remotely controlling the same, said boom mounting means including a framework, a turntable on said framework and rotatable relative thereto about a generally vertical axis, a column secured to said framework, a swivel on the upper end of the column, and pivot means securing said boom on said swivel for rotation relative thereto about a generally horizontal axis, said boom moving means including a first prime mover for rotating said turntable with respect to said column and a second prime mover carried by the turntable for rotating the boom relative to said swivel,

said turntable including a bearing having an inner race and an outer race,

said column being secured to said inner race and said second prime mover being secured to the outer race,

said first prime mover including a ring gear on one of said races, a motor on the other race, and means operably coupling the motor with said ring gear.

11. In fire-fighting apparatus:

a support;

an articulated, self-supporting boom having a pair of ends; means mounting one of said ends of said support for movement of the boom with respect to the support,

said boom including a plurality of elongated, hollow boom sections each defining a fluid passage therethrough extending longitudinally thereof, and means pivotally interconnecting said sections end-to-end for movement between folded and unfolded positions and intercommunicating said passages to provide a continuous path for flow of a fluid under pressure through the boom; and

a delivery nozzle on one of said sections communicating with the passage therein.

12. In fire-fighting apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said one section has an outer extremity presenting the other of said ends of the boom, and wherein is provided structure mounting said nozzle on said other end of the boom.

13. In fire-fighting apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein said .stru-cture mounts said nozzle for movement relative to said one section about the longitudinal axis thereof.

14. In fire-fighting apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein said structure includes a pivotal connection defining an axis for movement of said nozzle thereabout extending transversely of said longitudinal axis, first actuating means for rotating said nozzle about said longitudinal axis, and second actuating means for swinging said nozzle about said transverse axis independently 6f the operation of said first actuating means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 708,135 9/1902 Gorter 169-25 1,133,631 3/1915 'Gerdin-g 16925 1,835,132 12/1931 Anania l69--25 2,834,416 5/1958 Becker l6925 3,106,247 10/1963 Lacks et al. 169-25 EVERETT W. KIRBY, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,346,052 October 10, 1967 Arthur D. Moore et a1.

It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 10, line 27, for "of", second occurrence, read H on Signed and sealed this 15th day of July 1969.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR. 

11. IN FIRE-FIGHTING APPARATUS: A SUPPORT; AN ARTICULATED, SELF-SUPPORTING BOOM HAVING A PAIR OF ENDS; MEANS MOUNTING ONE OF SAID ENDS OF SAID SUPPORT FOR MOVEMENT OF THE BOOM WITH RESPECT TO THE SUPPORT, SAID BOOM INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED, HOLLOW BOOM SECTIONS EACH DEFINING A FLUID PASSAGE THERETHROUGH EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF, AND MEANS PIVOTALLY INTERCONNECTING SAID SECTIONS END-TO-END FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN FOLDED AND UNFOLDED POSITIONS AND INTERCOMMUNICATING SAID PASSAGE TO PROVIDE A CONTINUOUS PATH FOR FLOW OF A FLUID UNDER PRESSURE THROUGH THE BOOM; AND A DELIVERY NOZZLE ON ONE OF SAID SECTIONS COMMUNICATING WITH THE PASSAGE THEREIN. 